US Withdraws From International Treaties, Slams UN World CourtSeeking to avoid complying with the consequences of previously-signed treaties, the US announced that they are outright withdrawing from multiple agreements today. This included the 1955 Treaty of Amity with Iran, and the 1961 Optional Protocol to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Concerning the Compulsory Settlement of Disputes.

Permian Producers Have A Power ProblemPermian oil producers need a lot more electricity to power well production than they did just a few years ago. And the West Texas electricity grid—which wasn't planned for so heavy a load—is straining to catch up with power demand.

Here again, people are easily deceived by media and marketing hype. There's a vast chasm between the dream of urban rabbit-food factories and what it actually takes to feed even one human for a year. -- RF

Migrant farmworkers are essential to food production in rich countries because natives of those countries don't want to perform arduous labor under a blistering sun for starvation wages. How many people will be ready for this when, post-SHTF, they must either grow food or starve? It's going to take a lot more sweat, fertilizer, brainwork, experience, and luck than you imagine. In short, there's no such thing as an instant farmer. -- RF

At most 1,700 out of an original estimated population of 50,000 is certainly not "unchecked growth." Of course, the ranchers find their business threatened. At the same time, we need to keep in mind that the overpopulation of the planet with humans and their domestic animals threatens the viability of non-human populations, and is indeed a major driving force behind species extinction. -- RF